Reddit mentions of Moroccan Arabic: Lonely Planet Phrasebook

I didn't see your r/travel post, so I can't interact with anything that was said there.

English is less widespread in Morocco than Europe or even other Arab countries. Moroccans generally interact with tourists in French. That said, you will find English in all expensive hotels an most inexpensive ones. Most "tourist" places will speak English at varying levels, and tourist shops will speak English, especially in the big cities. However, I highly recommend getting a French phrase book. It will open a lot more doors. If you don't like learning language, or it makes you feel stupid, get the Rick Steves' French Phrasebook:

http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-French-Phrase-Dictionary/dp/1598801864/

.

If you like learning languages, get something more comprehensive like Lonely Planet:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1864501529/

.

If you are kind of a bad-ass, get the Moroccan Arabic phrasebook:

http://www.amazon.com/Moroccan-Arabic-Lonely-Planet-Phrasebook/dp/1740591879/

.

That's actually a great phrasebook, and will let you have a rudimentary conversation with ANYONE in Morocco. Using a phrasebook is a little bit of effort, but will greatly improve your trip. Moroccans love it when you use a little bit of Arabic, especially their dialect of Arabic, so try it!

.

All point-to-point taxis (Petite Taxis) have meters. You will save money by having the driver use the meter, rather than a preset price. They have to use the meter if you ask. They do have the right to charge a little extra for a bag on the roof.
The larger Mercedes taxis have set rates to travel between cities or for long travel within cities.

They cram 7 people into the "Grand Taxi", but between towns you can buy two seats if you like to make it more comfortable for you.

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Taxicabs_of_Morocco

.

Ramadan will be a problem. I am sorry, but it will change Morocco a lot and it will affect your trip. There will be a lot of stuff that is closed during the day, or open only at irregular hours. Moroccans will be tired and irritable, especially if they are normally smokers.

.

The website for train times:

http://www.oncf.ma/

It is often down, and the English site doesn't work (although it used to work). Use the French.

Second class is fine to use. I use second class for short trips, but first class for long trips. If you buy second class and don't find a seat or change your mind, you can walk up into first class and find a seat, then buy the upgrade from the ticket checker. He will give you a receipt. In fact, you can just board the train without a ticket and buy one from the ticket checker. Have your change ready.

.

Climbing Toubkal was a lot of fun. You can do it on your own, but I would at least find a guide in Imlil (where the road ends). From there you hike to the refuge on the first day, then hike up the mountain and back to Imlil on day two. If you are in really great shape, you could do it all in one day, maybe, but check the distances. This is a fairly inexpensive. I think I paid 70 dh for a night at the refuge, although they will ask for 300 or more. You have to negotiate beforehand. I paid my guide 200 dh I think for all five of us, and he was awesome so we tipped him another 100 dh or so. You can just walk in to Imlil and find a guide; they will swarm you even in Ramadan.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Jebel_Toubkal

I don't see any good prices online to give you.

.

Tip: few places will want to give you change. You will get large bills out of an ATM, then need to break them in convience stores (called a "Ha-noot") or other places that might have change. Keep some small change ready for taxis and tips.

.


There are camel excursions closer to Marrakesh, so you probably won't have time to go all the way to Merzouga, but that desert is pretty awesome. An overnight excusion into the desert is fun:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Merzouga

.

A lot of the ferry traffic in Tangier goes through the new port, which is harder to get to than the old port using public transportation. Know which company you bought a ticket from, and which port you need to go to.

.


Lonely Planet forums are hit and miss, but worth a visit:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/morocco/forum

.


Let me know what else you need.